Steam Policy for Games it Hosts: Loot Boxes and Crates

[AGT_ZURU]

We've all seen it, Games with Random Loot Boxes and Loot Crates.

In specific Countries, these have been made Illegal, and this list is getting longer by the month. My Country applying these Laws in November later this year.

So, Game's companies have taken an approach of dodging the fines by making Loot Boxes that require an In-Game currency to purchase them. Bethesda's Elder Scrolls Online is one such example.


My proposal is that Steam, as one of the biggest and most popular Companies who hosts Games, takes a stand with the little guy. Thus Assisting in the enforcement of having these Random Drop Loot Boxes removed from Games.

It's one thing to have a Random Drop Loot Box that is earned as part of a Mission or Quest. However, when these then make their way into being Purchasable Items, that's where it crosses the line. That's Gambling for Children.

Personally, I take the responsible approach of checking a Game first, and if it has Random Drop Loot Boxes that can be purchased using real money, then I ban people from playing them. This means the Adults suffer the Ban too.

Effectively, if it's a Game that has Purchasable Random Drop Boxes of any kind, I immediately put it in the 21+ Category. Since it might as well be an Age Rated 21+ Game if it incorporates Gambling.


Recently, I've seen Companies such as WarGaming take the approach of selling a Product in two forms. Basically, (taking their latest Example), you can spend a few Pound and get Ultra Lucky for the Items... OR... You can pay £100 GBP for the usual Contents of the Loot Boxes, but without the Gambling.

While I'm in agreement that this is a start of an improvement, it doesn't fix the problem.

Ultimately, the fact that these Games have Loot Boxes means that they become Illegal in Multiple Countries. However, there needs to be someone who can enforce these Laws and Regulations. Without Enforcement, Laws stand without Substance and thus serve no Function.



So, Summary:
Steam should take a stand and give Game's Publishers Penalties and Cautions for having Loot Boxes in their Games. Those who continues to breach the rules get their Games removed. Simple as.

[B-o-B]

Let’s just point out Steam is a platform and Valve is the Company.

Valve are already in the situation and have engineered around it also.
As the link above me shows, the law is being applied and loot boxes(gambling) is still a thing.
Valve themselves have shown others another way round it or they took it from another idea.
What was clear was the Dead line they where given to conform <— action.

These workarounds have a habit of reproduction in some other form, if you follow me.

Let the Governments deal with it and you vote with your wallet.

Your government seems to be on top of things? This year huh?

[Crazy Tiger]

Messaggio originale di AGT_ZURU:

My proposal is that Steam, as one of the biggest and most popular Companies who hosts Games, takes a stand with the little guy. Thus Assisting in the enforcement of having these Random Drop Loot Boxes removed from Games.

You are aware that Valve, the creator of Steam, creates games with lootboxes, right?

[Start_Running]

Messaggio originale di AGT_ZURU:

We've all seen it, Games with Random Loot Boxes and Loot Crates.

In specific Countries, these have been made Illegal, and this list is getting longer by the month. My Country applying these Laws in November later this year.

Then these things won't be available for purchase in your country.

So, Game's companies have taken an approach of dodging the fines by making Loot Boxes that require an In-Game currency to purchase them. Bethesda's Elder Scrolls Online is one such example.

Yeah. That's a fair cop.

My proposal is that Steam, as one of the biggest and most popular Companies who hosts Games, takes a stand with the little guy. Thus Assisting in the enforcement of having these Random Drop Loot Boxes removed from Games.

Think very carefully about what you say m8. Becayusae that basically removes all random loot mechanics from a game.

It's one thing to have a Random Drop Loot Box that is earned as part of a Mission or Quest. However, when these then make their way into being Purchasable Items, that's where it crosses the line. That's Gambling for Children.

It's literally the same thing. The only difference is the currency being paid.

Personally, I take the responsible approach of checking a Game first, and if it has Random Drop Loot Boxes that can be purchased using real money, then I ban people from playing them. This means the Adults suffer the Ban too.

ANd yeah. WHy should other people suffer for beliefts they do not share with you m8?

Effectively, if it's a Game that has Purchasable Random Drop Boxes of any kind, I immediately put it in the 21+ Category. Since it might as well be an Age Rated 21+ Game if it incorporates Gambling.

Do you feel the same way about MTG, or tradiung cards.

Op. Not gonna lie. It seems to me that your beef is that peiople with more money than you can get stuff you can't get. Since you don't have so much an issue with the random loot box mechanics, just that they're purchasable.

Recently, I've seen Companies such as WarGaming take the approach of selling a Product in two forms. Basically, (taking their latest Example), you can spend a few Pound and get Ultra Lucky for the Items... OR... You can pay £100 GBP for the usual Contents of the Loot Boxes, but without the Gambling.

Most games have this option. People can choose which they want.

Ultimately, the fact that these Games have Loot Boxes means that they become Illegal in Multiple Countries.

And thusly they will not be sold in those countries. NDev/pubs must then make a choice and given how insanely profitable lootbox mechanics are. They won't lose that much sleep over it. Also its not that the mechanics are becoming illegal, its more that the government wants the dev/pubs to pary a licensing fee.

UIn short, the governments want their slice of that lootbox pie.

There's also the simple fact as well that dev/pubs no very well that their customers wioll simply uuse VPN's to bypass the geo restrictions.

However, there needs to be someone who can enforce these Laws and Regulations. Without Enforcement, Laws stand without Substance and thus serve no Function.

That's what governments are for m8. And the enforcement is that the lootboxes are simply not available for real money purchase. Plenty of side roads around that obstruction though.

So, Summary:
Steam should take a stand and give Game's Publishers Penalties and Cautions for having Loot Boxes in their Games. Those who continues to breach the rules get their Games removed. Simple as.

Why? II mean it'd be rather hypocritical given you know, TF2, and Dota. Two, IUt's not their job to make moral judgements. They sell what the law allows them to sell. If the law allows it, why should they penalize someone for selling what the law allows?